Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon, cited for fishing without a license earlier this month, said it was an honest mistake to let her fishing license expire before an excursion on the Mississippi River.
Lyon was out with DNR staff doing a combination of touring and paddlefishing March 18 near Bellevue in Jackson County when she was informed she didn’t have a valid license, she said in an email Monday.
“I caught and released two paddlefish; one of which was 22 pounds,” she said. “I truly enjoyed the experience to snag such a unique, prehistoric species of fish.”
Advertisment
On March 21, when Lyon was back in Des Moines, she asked the DNR’s law enforcement chief to cite her for fishing without a license, she said. The ticket costs $135.50, including a fine, court costs and surcharge, according to Iowa Courts Online.
“It was an honest mistake but the laws apply to me just like anyone else,” Lyon said. “I have since gone online and renewed my combination license.”
Bleeding Heartland first reported this story Friday.
Lyon, 37, of Ames, leads the state agency that “manages fish and wildlife programs, ensures the health of Iowa’s forests and prairies and provides recreational opportunities in Iowa’s state parks,” the DNR’s website states. The agency also provides permits and compliance checks for animal feeding operations, among other roles.
Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed Lyon to the role in 2019.
Lyon told The Gazette she encourages other hunters or anglers to routinely check their accounts to make sure their licenses don’t expire.
Anglers can purchase or renew their licenses on the DNR website. The outdoor combo annual resident hunting/fishing/habitat license costs $55. This also can be done on the Go Iowa Outdoors app.
www.thegazette.com
Lyon was out with DNR staff doing a combination of touring and paddlefishing March 18 near Bellevue in Jackson County when she was informed she didn’t have a valid license, she said in an email Monday.
“I caught and released two paddlefish; one of which was 22 pounds,” she said. “I truly enjoyed the experience to snag such a unique, prehistoric species of fish.”
Advertisment
On March 21, when Lyon was back in Des Moines, she asked the DNR’s law enforcement chief to cite her for fishing without a license, she said. The ticket costs $135.50, including a fine, court costs and surcharge, according to Iowa Courts Online.
“It was an honest mistake but the laws apply to me just like anyone else,” Lyon said. “I have since gone online and renewed my combination license.”
Bleeding Heartland first reported this story Friday.
Lyon, 37, of Ames, leads the state agency that “manages fish and wildlife programs, ensures the health of Iowa’s forests and prairies and provides recreational opportunities in Iowa’s state parks,” the DNR’s website states. The agency also provides permits and compliance checks for animal feeding operations, among other roles.
Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed Lyon to the role in 2019.
Lyon told The Gazette she encourages other hunters or anglers to routinely check their accounts to make sure their licenses don’t expire.
Anglers can purchase or renew their licenses on the DNR website. The outdoor combo annual resident hunting/fishing/habitat license costs $55. This also can be done on the Go Iowa Outdoors app.
Iowa DNR director cited for fishing without license
Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon said it was an honest mistake to let her fishing license expire before an excursion on the Mississippi River. She said she asked her department to cite her.
www.thegazette.com
